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invitation had arrived, he was already planning a tour of the Asian churches. “This fit perfectly into my plans, and my colleagues and congregation graciously permitted me to come.”
    Polycarp said, “He has agreed to speak at special nightly meetings for the entire fortnight. And, rabbi, beginning first thing tomorrow, you and I will take a refreshing break. A warm, steaming break.”
    John sighed. “Please, Polycarp, don’t begin with the—”
    “But you should walk every day anyway, sir.”
    “Granted. But we do not need—”
    “Yes,” Ignatius said. “Yes, we do.”
    “ You know of this already?” John said. “You two have been conspiring?”
    “We have,” Ignatius said. “And I think it will be just the tonic for you.”
    John shook his head. “Surely you know the Roman baths are mere fronts for temples to false gods, filled with idols, and—Well, if you are both determined to frequent them, I should resign as your mentor.”
    “It is too late for that,” Ignatius said. “I beseech you give it a try. Allow us to teach you something this once. You walk with the Holy Spirit and you are immune to pagan gods. Allow the heat of the water to refresh your ancient bones.”
    “You are both unbending and unrepentant, are you not?”
    Ignatius and Polycarp caught each other’s eye and laughed.
    “Get your rest, rabbi,” Polycarp said. “Enjoy a late breakfast. We shall leave mid-morning.”
    “Good night, rebellious youngsters,” John said, waving them off. And as they left he slipped beneath his blanket, thanking God for young men who seemed to love him so much.
    And he actually looked forward to the healing power of the hot water, Roman or not.

THREE
    C an you not just walk?” John said the next morning as he struggled to keep up with Ignatius. “It seems you march everywhere. By the time we get there, I will need whatever repairs the waters offer.” Polycarp hung back with John, but it was obvious he would have rather broken free and rushed to the Varius Baths too.
    John slowed even more than he needed to as they approached the colossal building. He had a bad feeling about it all, and while he had decided that his young friends were right—that it was harmless and spiritually neutral—he was repulsed by the extravagance and the homage clearly paid to pagan gods and to Rome. He was not blind to the beauty and magnificence of the architecture, but the very idea of paying—though the amount would be minuscule—to traffic in a Roman establishment bothered him more than he could say. But Ignatius had already pledged the stipend for all three from personal funds.
    “I accept with gratitude,” the old man said. “But we both know your resources come from the Lord’s work and the Lord’s people.”
    “Then do not think about it.”
    But John could think of little else. He felt conspicuous and was grateful the baths were busy but not terribly crowded. When the men had paid and were directed to the cold room to shed their outer garments and slip into the wood sandals, John was ready to be done with this. But Ignatius and Polycarp’s enthusiasm was hard to ignore. The taller Ignatius had changed in an instant and was ready to go. Polycarp helped John put on his sandals. As if knowing their elder was self-conscious, the other two allowed him to fall in between them as they moved to the warm room.
    “Ahh!” Ignatius roared. “This is where you work up a sweat and prepare for the hot water in the next chamber.” He strode about, slapping Polycarp on the shoulder, sweeping his arms here and there, and stretching. John wished Ignatius would settle down, but he had to admit, if only to himself, that the warmth from the floor and the walls felt wonderful on his skin and already seemed to be seeping into his bones and joints.
    While Ignatius and Polycarp moved about, working up a sweat, John sat and crossed his legs and arms, feeling the moisture begin to pour from him. He immediately grew